John Rowland on Free Trade

Former Republican CT Governor

Develop an open North American energy market.

Rowland signed the New England Governors' Conference resolution:

The Northeast International Committee on Energy (NICE) was established by the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in 1978 to monitor and act upon common energy issues in the New England-/ Eastern Canadian region. In recent years, NICE has been paying particular attention to significant developments in the areas of electric restructuring, natural gas developments, and resource and infrastructure development. At the 25th Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers held in Halifax, Nova Scotia in July 2000, Resolution 25-12 was adopted directing NICE to:

continue to monitor developments in the energy markets;

adopt a letter to then-Secretary Richardson of the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommending that the DOE work with the NICE and states and provinces to maintain an open North American energy market and clarify the treatment of large-scale hydro-electric power under federal restructuring legislation;

collaborate with the NEG/ECP Committee on the Environment, the Province of New Brunswick and the Premierís Round Table on Environment and Economy to conduct a workshop to examine global warming issues in our region, evaluate the conclusions of the workshop and present a recommended action plan to the 2001 annual meeting of the NEG/ECP;

Foster globalization with New England & Eastern Canada.

WHEREAS, a successful Knowledge Industry Innovatorsí Forum resulted in the identification of issues critical to the continued development of a knowledge economy in the Northeast; and

WHEREAS, the Governorís Conference is desirous of working together, in cooperation with the business community, to promote economic growth, facilitate trade flows across borders, and identify future opportunities for trade development;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers adopt the [work plan summarized here]:

Continue to focus on the development of strategies and initiatives that Premiers and Governors can undertake to grow the Northeast regionís knowledge economy.

Monitor and discuss national and international trade policy, including NAFTA, WTO, and discussions regarding a free trade agreement of the Americas.

Identification of border crossing impediments and strategies for addressing; including cross-border re-location of professionals, and businesses wishing to conduct business in both countries.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Standing Committee on Trade and Globalization seek appropriate resources to undertake a trade and infrastructure study for the region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that [we commit to] continue working with innovators to profile the regionís knowledge economy sector, identify key public and private sector institutions in order to encourage the development of a strong, representative, regional network to assist Governors and Premiers in facilitating the continued development of a knowledge economy in the Northeast.

Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement.

Rowland adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item:

After a month of debate the Senate passed a The Andean Free Trade Agreement (H.R. 3009) including language to grant the president trade promotion authority. With the unanimous support of all eight Republican Main Street Partnership Senators, H.R. 3009 passed 66 to 30. Included in the legislation is an expansion of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) providing a tax credit for 70% of the cost of health insurance purchased individually after losing employment as a result of a trade agreement.
While the Senate maintained its pro-trade reputation by defeating amendments by Senator Kerry (MA) and Senator Byrd (WV) diluting Trade Promotion Authority, one amendment strongly opposed by Main Street remains in the bill. An amendment offered by Senator Dayton (MN) and Senator Craig (ID) would allow the Senate to remove from fast-track consideration any provision of an agreement that would limit US trade remedy laws. Main Street firmly believes that this negates Trade Promotion Authority entirely, and supports President Bush's veto threat should this language remain intact after a House/Senate conference.

THAT the members of the Conference identify business associations able to promote the development of a regional regrouping;

THAT this new regional regrouping of business people will direct its actions primarily on the basis of the report of the Northeastern Business Forum;

THAT a forum of government officials and representatives from the business sector convene a meeting in Quťbec in 1999 with a view to developing the information highway and electronic commerce within the region.